Weeks have passed since Daeron II’s triumphant return to King’s Landing, and in all that time he seemed to exchange no more than a dozen words with his cousin, Prince Aegon. Those who cared about such things supposed it had to do with the hot-blooded prince’s taking as mistress the Dornish hostage Cassella Vaith. Certainly, when Aegon finally appeared before the king in his private solar in Maegor’s Holdfast, his father the Hand of the King, Prince Viserys, was also present. What was said is known only to those present in that room, but the discussion lasted near an hour.

When Aegon at last departed, however, those who saw him said he seemed pleased. Certainly, when arriving at his quarters, no one could see Lady Cassella being escorted back to the Dornish tower, nor her belongings returned to the quarters she shared with her brother, Ser Jossart. Prince Viserys, on departing, seemed more dour, but not unusually so. The reaction from Aegon’s wife and sister, Naerys, has been muted at best—the lady devotes herself to prayer, devotional study, and gentle arts such as embroidery much as always.

In the end, what could have caused a significant scandal for the royal house seems to have become tolerated and accepted. Whether the Dornish hostages are pleased with this state of affairs is, of course, a question.